Tag: stateimpact

Posted on January 3, 2014 · In the last few months, dozens of small earthquakes have shook the north Texas town of Azle, outside of Fort Worth. The quakes are thought to be linked to oil and gas drilling in the area. Specifically the disposal of wastewater from drilling — which is typically pumped underground by the millions of gallons. So, last night the state agency that regulates the Texas oil and gas industry held a meeting in the town.

Posted on December 23, 2013 · A changing climate could have all sorts of impacts world-wide. But what about in your neighborhood? StateImpact reporter Dave Fehling looks at how some researchers are urging state and city governments to start thinking now about how to protect neighborhoods to vulnerabilities, like a rising sea level and destructive storms.

Posted on December 18, 2013 · For years now, the state of Texas has been fighting federal pollution regulations, saying new restrictions on "greenhouse gases" would dramatically increases costs for power plants and refineries which could mean big cuts in employment. But now, critics say the state's legal battles may have ended-up hurting — not helping — big companies.

Posted on December 11, 2013 · Foreign companies are investing billions of dollars in Texas industrial plants and oil & gas drilling operations. The money is creating local jobs but in some cases, it’s also allowing foreign countries access to valuable American-made technology. StateImpact reporter Dave Fehling has been looking into this.

Posted on November 19, 2013 · There's a lot of money being made in Texas with the surge in drilling for oil & gas. Maybe you've thought about how you could get a piece of the profits by investing in some of the wells. If so, StateImpact reporter Dave Fehling has a warning: The person running the company might be a felon — and that's just fine with the state of Texas.

Posted on November 6, 2013 · Proposition 6 — a plan to move $2 billion dollars from the state's Rainy Day Fund to finance water projects in Texas passed with 73% in favor last night. For StateImpact Texas Mose Buchele reports on how the vote went down and what comes next.

Posted on November 5, 2013 · The oil industry is staying busy in Texas. State regulators are issuing over a thousand permits a month to allow the drilling of oil wells. But the state is also issuing hundreds of permits to burn millions of dollars worth of natural gas — just to get rid of it at the oil well site.

Posted on October 28, 2013 · Six months ago in the town of West, a fire at a fertilizer storage facility caused a massive explosion, killing 15 people. In coming weeks, federal regulators are supposed to submit their proposals for what could be done to reduce the risk of explosions where chemical fertilizer is store by the ton. There are at least 74 such facilities in Texas alone. StateImpact reporter Dave Fehling looked into what changes might protect communities, including the use of buildings that look like igloos.

Posted on October 17, 2013 · Across Texas, oil and gas companies have drilled thousands of new wells, bringing up millions of barrels of oil and vast quantities of natural gas. But something else has been shooting up to the surface: millions of gallons of water. Often times that water is very hot — which means it could be put to a very good use. But it's not. Here's why from StateImpact reporter Dave Fehling.

Posted on October 10, 2013 · Over the next two years, the federal government will start enforcing new rules on oil & gas drillers. The rules require that the drillers use "green" technologies to reduce the loss of methane gas that comes up out of the ground when new wells are drilled. StateImpact reporter Dave Fehling has been looking into the environmental effects of drilling. He found that some companies are now opening themselves up to new scrutiny to prove what they’re doing won't hurt their neighbors.

Posted on October 7, 2013 · We're in the last two months of hurricane season. In years past, big storms have done billions of dollars of damage along the Texas Gulf Coast. Now, questions are being raised about what is not being done to protect one vulnerable type of structure: the huge tanks that hold toxic chemicals and petroleum. High winds and high water can cause them to float, sometimes with disastrous results.

Posted on September 25, 2013 · Texas is leading the nation in creating jobs. One factor is the big growth in the oil and gas industry. But as more wells are drilled and more crude is processed, there are worries about pollution and its effect on communities. Just who benefits and who loses? Here's StateImpact reporter Dave Fehling with more on what's called "environmental justice."

Posted on September 17, 2013 · Something unexpected is happening in Texas when it comes to how much electricity we're all using. It's less than what experts had predicted. Exactly why this is happening is somewhat of a mystery. But as StateImpact reporter Dave Fehling found, the consequences could determine if Texans have to pay more for the electricity they are using.